We have carried out the following activities:
- We have completed the creation of a simulation engine. In the course of the project we used 625 generated scenarios (encounters) and could reproduce flights in simulation, including augmented sets, as needed. We completed 340 hours of real test flights on fixed wing and helicopters (also including representative trajectories for eVTOLs and Urban Mobility use case) what brought us to the total of 200 TB of data collected. We prepared the infrastructure to train and experiment with training neural networks giving us scale and flexibility needed. The Spotter neural networks that had been trained on synthetic data generated in simulation environments were verified against real-life footage, and, additionally, in real-time and onboard an aircraft.
- We have successfully specified and tested the various camera components, which comprise the camera design for Raven. We selected the necessary components (CPUs, GPUs, peripherals, etc.) to design and build a ruggedised system that can execute in real time Raven neural networks. The selected components were integrated into a custom enclosure, connected to several cameras that we built and several mounting options were prepared for the trial cases.
- We managed to complete a trial case with eVTOL aircraft.Three trial case completed with external partners on time. Ten systems deployed in flight with customers and for demonstrations, and three on the ground as test stations.
- We have been ensuring the compliance of our system with the certification requirements. We have also collaborated with EASA (The European Union Aviation Safety Agency ) mainly investigating the existing regulation standards, and major reports on the use of machine learning-based systems in safety-critical systems.
- We have updated and further developed the Communication Strategy containing the objectives and action list specifically on publishing and promoting relevant project results, attracting the target audiences’ attention to Raven. We have successfully developed our social media accounts, launched a new website and also participated in industry-related events.
During the second year of the project, our team has continued to proceed with the processes set up in the first period:
- Communication with the EC has been conducted via project dedicated email,
- Project finances were monitored
- Regular meetings with the WP Leaders were held on weekly basis,
- Risks were monitored on a regular, monthly basis and we have stayed vigilant to the inherent risks of the project and continuously worked on risk mitigation,
- Project documentation has been maintained in the project documentation repository especially related to deliverable, periodic reports, procedures and resource allocation
